Defence Family Matters
To find out about events for ADF families in Liverpool, visit our Eventbrite page. You'll be able to RSVP, add events to your calendar and share with friends.
With the internet and social media flooded with a range of COVID-19 information and advice, it’s important to make sure the information you’re seeking comes from an official source. To help you, we’ve put together a list of official websites where families can get up-to-date information about a range of COVID issues like travel restrictions and border closures, non-essential travel and fines, testing locations, school arrangements, jobs and business information.
If you are looking for national information and contacts about COVID-19, see the Coronavirus tab on our Emergency and Crisis webpage.
We have also developed a Coronavirus Advice webpage which has a range of information and resources about wellbeing, tips to manage in isolation, how to support kids, maintaining healthy relationships and information about reunion leave arrangements.
For more mental health and wellbeing information and resources see our Health and Wellbeing webpage.
Information about Defence’s involvement in the whole-of-government response to the COVID-19 pandemic, including live blog updates can be found at the Defence response to COVID-19.
We’ve also put together some other educational resources that may help families with children during COVID-19 restrictions.
Community groups & centres
Community group facilities are currently closed due to the COVID-19 restrictions, but you can still get involved with their online activities and virtual catch-ups. If you want to get in touch with a community group in your area, follow them on Facebook to keep up-to-date.
The Australian Kookaburra Kids Foundation supports kids living in families affected by mental illness. The program provides recreational educational camps and other activities, giving kids a break, in a fun, positive and safe environment. Kids have the opportunity to meet other kids in similar families and develop new friendships.
Kookaburra Kids Head Office
PO BOX 681 Gymea 2227
(02) 9525 7474
Online: Kookaburra Kids website | Facebook
Beyondblue provides information and support to help everyone in Australia achieve their best possible mental health, whatever their age and wherever they live.
Phone: 1300 22 4636 24/7 support
Online: Beyond Blue website | Faceboook | Instagram
A network of Defence families on the Central Coast, for support, company, and to create a sense of belonging to the Defence Community.Offers a fortnightly coffee mornings and other activities. Visit them on Facebook to see what online activities they have planned.
More information: Facebook - Defence Families Central Coast
The Defence Special Needs Support Group is a non-profit benevolent volunteer organisation established to assist ADF families with a family member with special needs.
More information: DSNSG Liverpool | Facebook
The cottage, run by non-profit organisation Flourish Australia offers structured activities that aim to improve the wellbeing of consumers and increase their independence. They run groups on healthy living, art therapy, relaxation, yoga, gym, trivia and games as well as weekly outings to places like the beach and national parks.
More information: 02 9393 9152 or 1300 779 270 | Flowerdale Cottage website | Facebook
Go4Fun is a free healthy living program for kids to become fitter, healthier and happier. The program is fun and interactive and supports 7 to 13 year old children and their families in south western Sydney to adopt a healthy lifestyle and a long lasting and healthy approach to living. Children and their families become fitter, healthier and happier as they have fun, meet new friends and learn new skills. For more information about their online activities call or visit their website or Facebook page.
More information: Call 1800 780 900 | Go4Fun website | Facebook
Holsworthy Community Group is a Tri-Service Community House established to support our Defence Community posted to the Holsworthy / Liverpool posting location. They work hard to offer our Defence Community a variety of regular programs, events and courses. They are there for all of their Community and are open to constructive suggestions to meet those needs.
For more information on our programs or to become a member, please contact our Community Support Coordinator.
Holsworthy Community Group
Building G229, Soldiers Way
Holsworthy Barracks
Liverpool Military Area
Mail: P.O. Box 6064
Hammondville NSW 2170
More information: 0497 700 155 | coordinator@holsworthycommunitygroup.com.au| Facebook
As community leaders, 3Bridges Community create opportunities for personal growth and assistance with day-to-day life. They run a number of programs focused on education and training, support and personal development, or social activities. Their services are for all people of all ages including children and families, youth, adults and more senior members of the community. 3Bridges looks after the Carss Park Community Centre, Penhurst Community Centre, Arncliffe Community Centre, and the Menai Community Centre. To find out more about their online activities, visit their website or follow them on Facebook.
More information: call 1300 327 434 | email: admin@3bridges.org.au | https://3bridges.org.au/ | Facebook
Charity Bounce is a not for profit organisation that exists to build resiliency and positive job futures for young people at risk (12-24), using innovation through basketball to create ‘out of reach’ opportunities that inspire and motivate change. With a focus on ADF families and Indigenous and culturally diverse communities, Charity Bounce aim to move young people toward a more positive future through the development of sports, education and employment focused social programs. The programs are delivered in partnership with sporting organisations, engaging professional athletes alongside youth workers to motivate and inspire participants.
More information: call 02 9188 9676 | email: info@charitybounce.org | Website
Lifeline is a national charity providing all Australians experiencing a personal crisis with access to 24 hour crisis support and suicide prevention services. Lifeline is committed to empowering Australians to be suicide-safe through connection, compassion and hope.
More information: 13 11 14 – 24/7 support | https://www.lifeline.org.au | Facebook
Liverpool Women’s Health Centre, located at 26 Bathurst Street, Liverpool, offers a broad range of primary and preventative health care services and programs to improve women’s health and wellbeing. Their services are provided by professional, qualified and experienced practitioners for free, or at a low cost. Services provided include, medical and nursing, naturopathy, acupuncture, massage therapy, counselling, Aboriginal and CALD specialist services. The Centre also provides health education, events, programs, group activities and legal advice clinics. During COVID-19 restrictions they have temporarily changed the way they work, but you can still access many of their services over the phone.
More information: 02 9601 3555 | https://liverpoolwomenshealth.org.au/ | Facebook
LWRC has been established since 1984. We are an active, busy Centre that provide support, group programs, projects, drop in counselling and telephone support to a wide range of women throughout the 2168 and wider Liverpool LGA.
LWRC run groups and programs for women including art, sewing and social support groups at the Centre. Currently all groups have free child minding and are low cost /no cost and run in school hours. Because we are a women’s centre and because our child minding is on premises, our groups are consistently accessed by disadvantaged women and women from CALD backgrounds. LWRC groups are culturally diverse and welcoming. LWRC also host an Arabic Speaking Women’s Support Group and the Sistas for Sistas Aboriginal Women’s Support Group, both of which are very well attended and proactive. The Centre also currently runs a Creative Kids after school program on a Wednesday.
Visit their website or follow them on social media to find out more about their online activities you can do from home.
23 Sheriff St, Ashcroft | Join their mailing list: email lwrc@bigpond.com
More information: http://www.lwrc.org.au/ | 02 9607 7536 | Facebook
Macarthur Disability Services assists people with a disability to access information, advocates and lobbies to ensure they receive appropriate services after careful consultation and recognition of their needs.
Where: Ground Floor, 138 Queen Street Campbelltown NSW
More information: https://www.mdservices.com.au/ | 02 4621 8400 | Facebook | Instagram
The Family Co is an organisation dedicated and focussed to provide services that lead to safety and well-being for families in the Sutherland Shire and St.George areas. They bring together a range of services offered by dedicated professionals that help to create brighter futures for children and their families. They aim to support and strengthen the capacity of families within our community, particularly those who have been impacted by disadvantage, violence and trauma. Through providing these services, they contribute to the promotion and maintenance of safety and wellbeing among all family members. Our Head Office is located at Jannali in Sydney’s Southern Suburbs.
The Family Co offer a dedicated Family Support Worker for Sutherland Shire & St.George based defence families, providing assistance to families facing difficult circumstances who could benefit from extra support.
The aim of the family worker is to strengthen a family's supportive and social networks, as well as enhancing the parent/ child relationship, impacted by defence specific circumstances.
More information: 90 Soldiers Rd, Jannali, | Call 02 9528 2933 | Website | Facebook
At The Junction Works, their Mission is ‘Creating New Possibilities in People’s Lives’. They generate more opportunities for people with a disability, and to improve the lives of people suffering hardship and disadvantage.
More information: 08 8777 0500 | http://www.thejunctionworks.org/default.aspx | Facebook | Instagram
Open Arms continues to provide 24/7 counselling and support services to Australia's military community during COVID-19. If you have served one day of continuous full-time service in the ADF you can call them for support. They also support families, reservists and some peacekeepers. Call Open Arms – Veterans and Families Counselling on 1800 011 046 for free, confidential counselling and group programs to support mental health and wellbeing.
Open Arms - Veterans and Families Counselling | Group Programs | Facebook
Regional info
The following resources and websites can give you a good grounding in local information and services available.
You can also talk to your Unit Welfare Officer for more information.
Defence Member and Family Helpline | 1800 624 608
